Public Administration > The Program > Joint Degrees
Joint Degrees, Certificates, & Dual Credits
Public Administration students may take advantage of the option to earn a joint graduate degree, or to combine our Master's degree with a certificate from another program. Combing the MPA with a certificate can be especially attractive, and consideration of this option is encouraged. In many cases some credits can be counted toward both the MPA and the certificate. This double-counting means that both the degree and the certificate can be obtained for a total of thirty-six credits; that is, only six more than the MPA itself. Examples of these connections are:
Asian and Pacific Area Studies - For those interested
in public service in the Asian-Pacific Region, the School of Pacific and Asian
Studies (SPAS) offers area study graduate certificates that will
complement a degree in public administration. These include certificates focusing
on China, Japan, Korea, the Pacific Islands, the Philippines, South Asia, and
Southeast Asia. For more information contact (808) 956-8818 or visit www.hawaii.edu/shaps.
Shidler College of Business - Students interested in combining work in public administration with business administration may do so in a couple of ways. First, students seeking a master's degree in business may enroll in Public Administration's Certificate Program. Many of the public administration credits also can be counted toward the business degree. Second, students in public administration may choose to enroll in business classes for their elective concentration. Interested students may contact the business school at (808) 956-8266 or www.shidler.hawaii.edu.
Political Science Department - Individuals who wish
to join the more applied learning of public administration with work in one
or more of the fields offered by political science can combine the Public Administration
Certificate with the Master's or Ph.D. program in Political Science. For information
about the Political Science Department graduate programs, contact the graduate
secretary at polisci@hawaii.edu, (808)
956-7513, or visit their website at www.politicalscience.hawaii.edu.
Program on Conflict Resolution - The Program offers a 15-credit Certificate in Conflict Resolution. Students interested in learning conflict resolution tools useful in interpersonal and professional relations may combine the MPA with this Certificate. Course work focuses on the dynamics of group conflict; how and why group deliberations falter; the skills for organizing and leading group work; and designing culturally appropriate dispute resolution processes. For more information visit www.peaceinstitute.hawaii.edu or call (808) 956-6433.
Public Policy Center - The Center offers a Certificate
in Public Policy. For those who wish to focus their public service work on
issues of policy, the Certificate may be combined with the Public Administration
Master's degree. PUBA elective courses may also be used to fulfill the Certificate
elective requirement. For more information call (808) 956-4237 or visit www.publicpolicycenter.hawaii.edu.
School of Social Work - Master’s of Social
Work students may take the Graduate Certificate in Public Administration. The
15 credits of the Public Administration Certificate will also count toward
the concentration course requirements of the MSW degree. Interested MSW students
should apply for admission to the PUBA certificate program.
Telecommunication and Information Resource Certificate - This program is designed to develop an understanding of new media environments. It focuses on management, human resource, and other issues related to selected state-of-the-art and emerging information technologies. Classes are web-based. For more information contact the School of Communications at (808) 956-8848, or visit http://tirm.tipg.net.
